Family Against Parole for Former Psychiatrist Omar Sabadia: Convicted Killer

The children of convicted killer, Former Psychiatrist Omar Sabadia, knew that one day he will be paroled and walk out of prison a free man, but they still deserve the right to be heard. The children's lawyer, Ahmed Suliman, conveyed that "The proper procedure must be followed and the family are entitled to be heard," also, "They cannot be excluded and they are entitled to voice their objection."

 

The family were disappointed, Suliman said, that they had not been consulted by the parole board ahead of Sabadia’s proposed release on Thursday. "The family have some sense of relief that Sabadia was not released. However, there is no doubt the matter was badly handled by the board," said Suliman.

 

In 1996, the Johannesburg psychiatrist made headlines when he was arrested for hiring three hitmen to kidnap his wife, murder her and leave her tied to a tree. Sabadia had planned to claim millions in Rand (South Africa's Currency)  from the insurance policy he had taken out on his wife’s life. Having served over 22 years of his 50-year sentence for planning the murder of his wife, Sabadia was eligible for parole. However, the intervention of his family has put his release on hold. 

 

“The department has also applied for reconsideration on his case pending the outcome of the decision by the parole review board," said the Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Mocheta Monama. He confirmed Sabadia would remain in prison while the review board studied its decision.

 

Sameer Naik, "Family keeps wife killer behind bars," IOL, 23 JUNE 2018, https://www.iol.co.za/saturday-star/news/family-keeps-wife-killer-behind-bars-15645973